Review
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"Gem of an autobiography... The book is filled with dazzling
stories of style, society and success. Plus, poignant life
lessons we can all learn from--even if most of us aren't decked
out in Prada."--Real Simple
"This title is the best possibility to "meet" the legendary icon
of American fashion. It's not a long book, which makes it the
perfect beach read this summer. Your personal style will thank
you!"--The Fashion List
From the Back Cover
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Brilliant, funny, charming, imperious, Diana Vreeland--the
fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar and editor-in-chief of
Vogue--was a woman whose passion and genius for style helped
define the world of high fashion for fifty years. Among her
eclectic circle of friends were some of the most renowned and
famous figures of the twentieth century--artists and princes,
movie stars and international legends, including Chanel, the Duke
and Duchess of Windsor, Isak Dinesen, Clark Gable, and Swifty
Lazar.
Moving from English palaces to the nightclubs of 1930s Paris, the
wilds of Wyoming to the exclusive venues of New York high
society, D.V. takes readers into this iconic woman's dazzling
life, evoking the luxury and brio of an era that encompassed
Josephine Baker, England's Queen Mary, Buffalo Bill, and
Diaghilev.
Vibrant with the vivid, irresistible voice that elevated every
tête-à-tête and dinner party, D.V. brings this renowned and
uninhibited raconteur alive, whether recalling herself as a young
girl, her search for the perfect red, her piquant observations
about her world, or her abhorrence for nostalgia. Like her
legacy, Vreeland's story, told in her own words, is a classic to
be celebrated by both loyal admirers and a new generation of
culture mavens and style savants.
About the Author
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Diana Vreeland was born in Paris on July 29, 1903. Beginning as
the author of the infamous "Why Don't You . . . " column for
Harper's Bazaar, Diana's immense success propelled her to fashion
editor at the magazine, and she quickly became a singular
authority in the fashion world. In 1962, she left to be
editor-in-chief at Vogue, and her tenure there was marked by her
exceptional ability to translate the zeitgeist of the times, her
clairvoyance for trends, and her inimitable style. She was an
inspiration for a generation of designers, among them Yves Saint
Laurent, Bill Blass, Issey Miyake, and Valentino, and she would
help launch the careers of some of today's top designers, among
them Diane von Furstenberg, Manolo Blahnik, and O de la
Renta.
In 1973, she became a special consultant to the Costume Institute
at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, curating shows that featured
the clothes and costumes of former Hollywood stars, ballet
companies, and master designers. From then until her death in
August of 1989, she remained the preeminent voice of the fashion
world, its grande dame, and one of its most memorable characters
whose lasting influence continues to inspire.